From 1 January 2019, the rules around renewing Swiss residence permits are different. The change, decided last year, grants renewals only if certain requirements are met. These include respect for the constitution and its values, respect for public order, participation in economic life1 or education, and competency in the local language. Language competence will be […]

In 2016, Switzerland’s government decided to tighten the VAT exemption on imported purchases, a move that affects most online orders from foreign retailers. The new rules took effect on 1 January 2019 – they were originally planned for 1 January 2018 but systems and processes were not ready. Until the beginning of this year, any […]

ON THE BASIS OF SEX (Une Femme d’Exception) *** By B.J. If I were to tell you that the heartbeat of one woman in Washington is a major determinant in where Donald Trump takes the US in what is left of his presidency and where the country goes after him you would think I am […]

In Switzerland, the position of president is ceremonial. Switzerland’s executive is led jointly by all seven members of the Federal Council, also known as les sept sages (the seven wise ones) by French speakers. The ceremonial role of the president rotates annually among Federal Council members. In addition to the diplomatic duties of the president, […]

The government decided last month that the paper residence permits currently issued to some foreigners are to be replaced by forgery-proof cards the size of a credit card. Chips will not be included on the new cards. The required legal changes will be complete by 1 April 2019. The card will contain the permit holder’s […]

Since the beginning of December 2018 more and more counterfeit 100 Swiss franc notes have been appearing in the Swiss canton of Valais in and around Sion and Conthey. The fake notes, which the local Police say can be spotted if compared to real ones, have been making their way into circulation via shopping centres, […]

Dan Gilbert, the author of “Stumbling on Happiness,” challenges this idea. Gilbert thinks choice is the enemy of happiness and cites research to support his conclusions. For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Growing old is something that happens to nearly all of us. However, according to a recent study close to one in three people (28%) reported age-related discrimination in Switzerland in 2017. The rate of age discrimination (28%) is higher than sexism (22%) and racism (12%), according to Christian Maggiori, a professor focused on social work […]

In Switzerland, 37% drive after drinking too much during the festive season, according to a survey by Comparis. Most people will exceed Switzerland’s maximum blood alcohol level of 50 milligrammes of alcohol in every 100 millilitres of blood (0.25 mg/litre of breath) after drinking 500 ml of regular beer or 250 ml of wine. For […]

Chinese fondue is a culinary crossover between two nations. A dish that exists in both China and Switzerland. The Swiss version retains the communal pot of hot broth, thinly sliced raw meat and Chinese mushrooms of the original but departs radically in terms of flavour. The Chinese one uses chili, sesame and soya, while the […]